St. John Lutheran Church’s Gym Program: A Community Beacon in Need of Support

Garfield Heights, OH – For the past 20 years, St. John Lutheran Church in Garfield Heights has been a sanctuary for local teens, providing a safe space to play basketball and foster healthy relationships. Every Thursday night, the church opens its gym to middle and high school students, offering them a place to have fun and stay off the streets. However, this long-standing community program is now in dire need of assistance.

A Tradition of Community Engagement

Karen Dutton, the Minister of Youth and Family Ministries at St. John Lutheran Church, recalls how the program began. “This started very innocently,” she said. “One of the church youths invited a friend to come, and the whole Garfield Heights freshman team showed up, and from there we didn’t close our doors.”

Since then, the gym has become a hub for local youth, with about two dozen players attending regularly. Dutton emphasized the importance of the program, noting that it provides a safe and fun environment for teens. “You know there’s not a rec center around here, so it’s just somewhere to hoop, have fun, and meet up with your friends,” said Richard Elamin, a high school student who has been part of the program for three years.

Maintaining Order and Safety

Dutton has implemented strict rules to ensure the program runs smoothly and safely. New attendees must be accompanied by a parent on their first visit, who must fill out an information card. Personal belongings, including cell phones, are stored in bins outside the gym. “We just found ways to set it up to control it to keep it safe,” Dutton explained. “So that the kids come and have a safe place and learn respect and how to treat each other kindly.”

Aging Facilities in Need of Upgrades

Despite its success, the gym at St. John Lutheran Church is showing its age. Many of the lights in the gym no longer work, making it difficult to play during the darker winter months. “When you get in those dark winter months, it’s a little like you’re playing almost by candlelight,” Dutton said. Upgrading the lighting alone is estimated to cost $29,000, and fundraising efforts have so far been slow.

In addition to the lighting, the gym lacks air conditioning, forcing the program to pause during the summer. The scoreboard and floor also need repairs. “I think if we brought the gym up to today’s standards, it would help with the attendance and make it more appealing for kids and families to want to be here,” Dutton added.

The Impact of Community Support

The gym may be in need of physical improvements, but the sense of community it fosters remains strong. High school student Jayden Nathan shared how the program has helped him build friendships. “It’s like if you don’t get to see them all the time, then you’ll be able to at least have fun with them at a place that everybody is welcome,” he said.

Dutton hopes that with community support, the necessary upgrades can be made to keep this vital program running. “Just a week ago, I stopped at a stoplight down on Turney Road, and I had four of the high school boys waving feverishly at me,” she recalled. “And that had told me that, yeah, we built a relationship and it’s because they’ve been here.”

For more information on how to support St. John Lutheran Church and its basketball program, visit their website or contact them directly.

Contact Information:

St. John Lutheran Church
Address: 11333 Granger Rd, Garfield Heights, OH 44125
Phone: (216) 587-4222
Website: sjlutheran.net